Author:
Yuliia Didenko
On October 28, a press conference took place at the Aviation Training Hangar of the Kyiv Aviation Institute, now home to the State Aviation Museum. The event brought together members of the aviation community and journalists to share an incredible story. 16-year-old Sofiia built a model of the destroyed AN-225 Mriya (that symbolically means “dream” in Ukrainian). This model has now become a symbol of a large-scale charity fundraiser to support children living in frontline areas.
Moderator of the meeting, Azad Safarov, co-founder of the Voices of Children Foundation, opened the press conference and introduced the speakers: Valeriia Lavrenko, Director of the State Aviation Museum; Dmytro Antonov, pilot of the Mriya; Olena Rozvadovska, Chair of the Board of Voices of Children; and Sofiia herself, the main heroine of this story.
Valeriia Lavrenko announced important news right away: the model will remain on display in the hangar as part of guided tours, serving as a symbol of children’s belief in Ukraine’s rebirth. Until November 28, visitors can view and take photos of the model. Later, the Mriya will be given to a benefactor or company that makes the largest donation to the fundraiser.
Valeriia Lavrenko announced important news right away: the model will remain on display in the hangar as part of guided tours, serving as a symbol of children’s belief in Ukraine’s rebirth. Until November 28, visitors can view and take photos of the model. Later, the Mriya will be given to a benefactor or company that makes the largest donation to the fundraiser.
Sofiia’s Story: From Loneliness to a Big Dream
Due to the war, Sofiia and her family relocated from Kyiv to Switzerland, where she faced the challenges of adaptation and loneliness. She reached out to the Voices of Children Foundation and received professional psychological support online. Our team of psychologists helped her cope with stress and gradually integrate into her new society.
For a school project, Sofiia decided to recreate a model of the AN-225 Mriya, destroyed by Russia, as a symbol of Ukrainian ingenuity, unity, and dreams of peaceful skies. In 2022, at the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the aircraft was destroyed in Hostomel. Sofiia built the model herself using papier-mâché, measuring 113 by 110 centimeters, and documented the entire process in a presentation about the plane’s history.
For a school project, Sofiia decided to recreate a model of the AN-225 Mriya, destroyed by Russia, as a symbol of Ukrainian ingenuity, unity, and dreams of peaceful skies. In 2022, at the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the aircraft was destroyed in Hostomel. Sofiia built the model herself using papier-mâché, measuring 113 by 110 centimeters, and documented the entire process in a presentation about the plane’s history.
This small plane became a powerful symbol of hope for Ukrainian children and their families who are enduring the war but refuse to lose faith in the future. Having experienced the challenges of adaptation and her own need for support, she was inspired to help others. She launched a large fundraising campaign to support children who need it the most, demonstrating that even a small act can evolve into a meaningful project and bring light to dark times.
How the Foundation Supported Sofiia’s Initiative
At the press conference, Olena Rozvadovska, Chair of the Board of the Voices of Children Foundation, shared how this idea came to life. She emphasized how meaningful it is that the initiative came from a child who understands the value of psychological support and believes that seeking help from a psychologist is the right thing to do, especially when life feels difficult.
Sofiia came to us, received psychological help, and worked with our specialists. Later, she returned to school and said, ‘I’m taking part in this project. I’ll make the Mriya. I’ll build a plane and raise funds to help children in Ukraine.’ It’s incredibly moving to see that today, so many children and young people in our country think not only about themselves but also about others. They recognize the power of their own actions and believe in the importance of every deed. Our role was quite simple—to support this idea, help it grow stronger, and amplify the voices of children. That’s exactly why we are here today,
She added that we all live in a reality where we constantly search for inner strength. And it’s often children who give us answers, support, and inspiration, showing faith in their own ideas. She believes that this fundraiser will enable the Foundation to support even more children who need it and give everyone a sense of hope that everything is possible.
The co-founder also sincerely thanked children for their openness and lightness. Voices of Children helped Sofiia overcome her own challenge, and she came back with an inspiring idea. And this is incredibly valuable.
The co-founder also sincerely thanked children for their openness and lightness. Voices of Children helped Sofiia overcome her own challenge, and she came back with an inspiring idea. And this is incredibly valuable.
Everything is possible. And even though the real Mriya no longer exists, we can take a bit of papier-mâché and create our own. Why wait for tomorrow when we can make it happen today? I believe that with such sincerity and confidence that anything is possible, we’ll see many more initiatives that inspire each of us,
Businesses Helped Scale Up the Fundraiser
Sofiia’s story deeply moved representatives of major companies. SkyUp Airlines and the jewelry brand Kochut decided to support the initiative and help scale up the fundraising campaign. Together with its partners, the Voices of Children Foundation announced the launch of a fundraiser with a goal of UAH 500,000. All funds raised will go toward urgently needed psychological support for children from frontline areas who have experienced the trauma of war.
The Antonov Company team also learned about Sofiia’s story and supported her idea by providing gifts and media outreach. The company even presented Sofiia with a miniature model of the AN-225 as a token of appreciation for her initiative.
The Antonov Company team also learned about Sofiia’s story and supported her idea by providing gifts and media outreach. The company even presented Sofiia with a miniature model of the AN-225 as a token of appreciation for her initiative.
In addition, the fundraiser has been supported by the charity store Laska, the Ukrainian clothing brand Aviatsiya Halychyny, and the video game company Ubisoft.
Sofiia was genuinely touched by such tremendous support. She even created a new presentation about the story of her aircraft, and it seems she’ll have to add a few more slides, as her story continues to grow.
Sofiia was genuinely touched by such tremendous support. She even created a new presentation about the story of her aircraft, and it seems she’ll have to add a few more slides, as her story continues to grow.
The Mriya Pilot on Ukraine’s Future
A special guest of the press conference was Dmytro Antonov, the pilot who flew the real Mriya aircraft for twenty years. He completed missions in the world’s hottest zones, carried out humanitarian flights during the COVID-19 pandemic, and took part in air shows marking Independence Day of Ukraine. Today, he continues to support the Ukrainian army and has also joined Sofiia’s fundraiser.
After listening to Sofiia, I’m convinced that Ukraine has a future as long as we have people like her. Those who care about the fate of other children. It’s very symbolic that Sofiia chose the Mriya for her project, because it truly is a symbol. I flew this plane for twenty years, and every flight was unique, special, and inspiring. There are people who know how to create. Because of that, I sincerely believe that ahead of us lies a bright future and a free, independent Ukraine. We have all the foundations for this, we just have to work hard and keep moving forward,
Sofiia: “I Could Never Imagine My Story Would Grow This Much”
Sofiia also spoke at the press conference and shared her impressions. She thanked her Swiss friends who helped transport the Mriya to Kyiv and built a special box for it. For her, this was completely unexpected, since the most significant challenge had been transporting the model due to its massive size.
When I started my project last year, I could never have imagined that such a wonderful story would happen to me and that it would grow so much. After the presentation, I thought that this story had ended, but the Voices of Children Foundation supported me so much. That’s how the big fundraiser began, together with SkyUp and Kochut companies. I’m deeply grateful to everyone who donated, who shared my story, who cared, and helped me make my dream come true. And I’m so happy every time I see the total amount grow, because I know this means the Foundation will be able to help even more children who need it,
She ended her speech by saying that she dreams of a just peace in Ukraine, of peaceful skies and warm sunshine for every Ukrainian. Her friends have given her incredible support, and many of them even joked that one day they would ask for her autograph.
How to Join the Fundraiser
The fundraising mechanism involves giving away valuable prizes to donors. Every donation of 100 UAH or more to the Monobank fundraising jar automatically enters the donor into a giveaway.
Prizes include:
And the grand prize: the unique Mriya model hand-crafted by Sofiia herself, awarded to the donor who makes the largest donation.
Prizes include:
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An exquisite pendant crafted by Kochut, plated with white rhodium;
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A travel set from SkyUp: a branded suitcase, a vibrant scarf, and a stylish polo;
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A branded T-shirt by Aviatsiya Halychyny;
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A special merch set from the Voices of Children Foundation;
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Three merch sets (notebook, flash drive, pen, keychain) from Antonov Company.
And the grand prize: the unique Mriya model hand-crafted by Sofiia herself, awarded to the donor who makes the largest donation.
This Mriya is about the power of humanity and the strength of simple acts that can overcome even war itself. It’s about hope. The hope each of us needs today.
You can join the fundraiser until November 2 via the link.
You can join the fundraiser until November 2 via the link.
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